When I got my Westie pup, the pet shop said I was to soak his dry complete food, how long shall I do this for?
Thanks

What age is the puppy? By 8 weeks most puppies will happily eat puppy sized kibble dry. But the best person to ask is your breeder.

He is 13 weeks today. I brought him from a pet shop (not the best thing I know) and they are really not very helpful!

Not the best thing al all, but done is done. :) If I was you I'd get a good quality puppy food and try him on it dry. If he has always been used to soaked food he may not like it. If that happens moisten the food with warm water but gradually decrease the water until he is taking it dry.

:( they wouldn't be helpful :(

Feed your puppy the dry kibble with water added but don't let it soak.

Thanks guys, I'll give it a go and let you know how I get on.

I have seen far to many problems with dry food fed dry to EVER feed any dried to any dog of mine. :( I let mine soak for at least half an hour, until it is totally soft all the way through.

I always soak as most foods swell up and I'd rather than happen before it's in the dog's stomach than after. Feeding dry has no advantage as far as teeth cleaning goes which is the usual excuse for doing it.

Exactly Phoebe. :)

Ditto.

Wow now I am really confused!
Shall I soak or not?!

Your choice! I always pour warm water over dry food for my adults. For puppies I soak it till they're several months of age.

As an experiment, take a single piece of kibble, cover it with warm water and leave it for an hour to see how much it swells, and how much water the pup'll need to drink. If the pup's tummy was full with dry food, it's going to be very uncomfortable by the time that food's swollen inside it.

The only definite I know of is that you should not soak food containing citric acid (a 'natural' preservative) because it increases the risk of bloat. I feed dry and never have had a problem but it's up to you.

I add some water to my dogs food but it doesn't soak, I have never encountered a problem feeding this way and as long as you don't over feed there should not be a problem regarding swelling in the stomach - there are a number of things we eat that swell in our belly's, bread to name just one but we still eat it dry????

Ladybug-nina, do what you feel is best but I know many a people who feed dry, dry and have no problems......however if you want to soak there is nothing wrong with this either.  I feed pups soaked when weaning but by 8 weeks they are well and truly on dry food.

Gosh I am really confused! I think I will have  a little think about it, I dont want Arty to be poorly!

My pups are on dry by about 6 weeks they really seem to enjoy the crunch and I have never had any problems but then mine, like yours, is not a breed with any tendancy to bloat.